Op-ed: OK so first things first. This writer is not racist, sexist, a Nazi sympathiser or an anti-Semite. But using false flags of anti-Semitism is as bad as being an anti-Semite in her opinion. She was one of many who tweeted a range of views and memes during the last Gaza invasion by Israel and stands by that. She is after all supposedly living in a free country and entitled to have opinions and share other opinions at times that she may not agree with.

Once again the BBC Daily Politics featured. Livingstone appeared on the BBCDP and offered some sympathy for Naz Shah and was pounced on by Mann outside of the studio.

But it looks as if Livingstone made the initial comments on LBC and was then invited onto the BBCDP to explain.

Another BBCDP publicity stunt at the expense of the Labour Party.

Livingstone has since been suspended from the Labour Party and Mann faces a reprimand whatever that may be.

An investigation by the Labour Party will follow.

Mr Livingstone was put on the spot by Mann in what looked once again like a carefully crafted BBC stunt.

Of course it warranted first billing on BBC lunchtime news ahead of all other world news Thursday but why? Draw your own conclusions on that one.

All political parties will have some 'ists' somewhere in the pot.

But why is the Labour party suddenly facing such headline making accusations?

Wednesday a Labour MP was suspended and apologised for comments on social media she made in 2014. 2014 was the year that Israel invaded Gaza killing many and social media was used by all sides to share anger and views.

Naz Shah was not an MP in 2014 when she shared a tweet and appeared to add her approval in a comment but it has been enough to draw wide scale mainstream media attention resulting in her suspension from the Labour Party and accusations that she is an anti-Semite.

Mr Livingstone was attacked by Mann for showing some support for Shah; John Mann dramatically for the camera called Livingstone a 'Nazi apologist'.

Ken Livingstone, a former London Mayor and once called Red Ken by the MSM was a thorn in the side of Tony Blair and New Labour. He was removed from the Labour Party but is back in the fold though not widely accepted.

Jeremy Corbyn won the Labour leadership race by a huge mandate but Labour lights that swing to the right are not happy.

Reports of planned coups could simply be right-wing media hype but they seem to have more than a touch of truth to them.

So is the Labour Party now full of anti-Semites or are some in and out of the party spinning a way of attacking and undermining Jeremy Corbyn?

Livingstone has now been suspended from the party but surely John Mann should face a similar fate until investigations are complete? This use and abuse of the BBC is damaging.

Ahead of local elections next week the Tory party is in disarray and Labour could and should do well at the polls.

However with such well publicised spats those wishing to undermine Corbyn even at the expense of election results will be patting each other on the back.

New Labour is dead but some still try to resurrect its corpse and oust Corbyn turning Labour back to another Conservative to centre right wing political party.

Those playing their political games are guaranteeing the Tories electoral success.

Feel free to comment but watch out for Labour's dreadfully named Compliance Unit or perhaps that should be 'thought police'.

Best of it is, It turns out it is "true" what Ken said.John(not so mucha) Mann has made himself a laughing stock and needs to be removed NOW! Wonder how much he was offered to do that? Now explain yourself Mann:, the free encyclopedia
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The Haavara Agreement (Hebrew: הסכם העברה Translit.: heskem haavara Translated: "transfer agreement") was an agreement between Nazi Germany and Zionist German Jews signed on 25 August 1933. The agreement was finalized after three months of talks by the Zionist Federation of Germany, the Anglo-Palestine Bank (under the directive of the Jewish Agency) and the economic authorities of Nazi Germany. The agreement was designed to help facilitate the emigration of German Jews to Palestine. While it helped Jews emigrate, it forced them to temporarily give up possessions to Germany before departing. Those possessions could later be re-obtained by transferring them to Palestine as German export goods.[1][2] The agreement was controversial at the time, and was criticised by many Jewish leaders both within the Zionist movement (such as the Revisionist Zionist leader Vladimir Jabotinsky) and outside it.[3]

Reply

George Welsh

28/4/2016 02:59:55 pm

A clear stunt to split Livingstone away from Corbyn. Yes I agree it's all mudslinging with no real substance.

Reply

Joe Kelsall

28/4/2016 03:07:34 pm

I think that this says it all:
Statement on “Labour’s problem with antisemitism”
from the Jewish Socialists’ Group

Antisemitism exists and must be exposed and fought against in the same way as other forms of racism by all who are concerned with combating racism and fascism.

Antisemitism and anti-Zionism are not the same. Zionism is a political ideology which has always been contested within Jewish life since it emerged in 1897, and it is entirely legitimate for non-Jews as well as Jews to express opinions about it, whether positive or negative. Not all Jews are Zionists. Not all Zionists are Jews.

Criticism of Israeli government policy and Israeli state actions against the Palestinians is not antisemitism. Those who conflate criticism of Israeli policy with antisemitism, whether they are supporters or opponents of Israeli policy, are actually helping the antisemites. We reject any attempt, from whichever quarter, to place legitimate criticism of Israeli policy out of bounds.

Accusations of antisemitism are currently being weaponised to attack the Jeremy Corbyn-led Labour party with claims that Labour has a “problem” of antisemitism. This is despite Corbyn’s longstanding record of actively opposing fascism and all forms of racism, and being a firm a supporter of the rights of refugees and of human rights globally.

This mess is an unneceassary distraction when elections are next week and the Tories are in a mess. Is it the start of the coup?

And imo Livingstone will be within his rights to report what happened to the police. His public abuse broke many rules.

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Maria carroll

28/4/2016 04:22:59 pm

Is refusal to provide safety to 3,000 refugee children not racism? Is ambushing a colleague armed with a media camera team whilst shouting obscene abuse not bringing the party into disrepute? Ken's comments, whilst according to many academic sources were historically correct, as a minimum were unnecessary. But if he has been suspended for bringing the party into disrepute then so too should John Manns disgusting stitch up. When are labour MPs going to show that they believe all should be treated equally and with due process?

Reply

david finan

28/4/2016 09:32:15 pm

Here here, Some Labour MP's do seem to be conspiring for their own ends... again, John Mann should be held to account, do we deserve years of conservative government just because individuals are allowed to do and say what they like. I repeat what I said on another forum, 3,000 children is pitiful and they are trying to renege on that! Recruiting the media to attack members of your own party is despicable. Suspend John Mann. I have just signed a petition on Change, I urge other's to do the same.

I guess the Corbinites must have expected something - it seems as if they have been gatecrashed by folk whose priority is to stop socialism being a priority for The Labour Party over maximizing votes at the various elections in a week's time and right now the Corbinite destroyers seem to have the upper-hand.

I just wonder how it might impact on the Euro referendum vote - next month - I think if the Tory Pro EUers make too much of it, they may get more than they want.

Thanks for setting it out like this. Dangerous manoeuvres are afoot - but I suppose the antiCorbinites the consequences make it worth the risk - utter cynicism and selfishness.

John Mann is a treacherous rat setting up a stunt with the Tory supporting BBC to undermine Jeremy Corbyn and Ken Livingstone doesn't help all has happened is once again Cameron and Hunt have been let off the hook

Reply

Claudine

28/4/2016 07:10:06 pm

John Mann behaviour towards Ken LIVINGSTON WAS VERY THREATENING.. He is the one who must be suspended for his arrogant bully behaviour. Totally
Unacceptable!

Reply

Stephen Sheach

28/4/2016 07:54:41 pm

I have many differences with John Mann and don't regret voting for Jeremy. However I knew him when he was a Labour student in Manchester and National Org of Labour Students and know that he is absolutely committed to fighting anti-Semitism.

Ken Livingstone has been at best stupid and arrogant and I think as had his time. Time to retire

I supported Naz over the horrendous attacks on her from Galloway and feel let down. A spell on the back benches to learn would be useful. Also building bridges with the Bradford Jewish community would do no harm.

Remember the Labour left supported the creation of Israel and there's no reason to think differently, despite what the current Government is like

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